2012 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 100 cases, pH 3.69, TA 0.58, $36. Name of label pays homage to the middle names of the winemaker’s parents. Label says, “Dog ate tasting notes.” Fruit sourced from 3 vineyards. Clones 777 and Pommard. Maco-bin fermented, barrel aged sur lie with monthly batonage for 10 months in 33% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. Vinified by Mark Davis, assistant winemaker at O’Brien Estate Winery (Oak Knoll AVA) with previous experience at Twomey Cellars. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy and mysterious upon opening featuring aromas of dark red and purple fruits. Earthy and well oaked on the palate with mid weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with a hint of tobacco and spice. Very smoothly textured with a modest finish. Better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle showing very ripe fruit aromas and flavors, and notes of oak-driven char, dark chocolate and spice. Score: 88. Reviewed August 15, 2014

Winery: Cobden Wini
From article: Russian River Valley Neighborhoods